PHILIPPINES. OurShop, AirAsia’s e-marketplace, and leading Filipino travel retail company Regent Asia have signed a new partnership to enable travellers to pre-purchase and collect items from arrival and departure points at Ninoy Aquino International Airport T3 in Manila (the international terminal).
The partnership is the first of a number of phased airport roll-outs in the Philippines over the next few months, OurShop said.
Over 2 million international passengers who fly with AirAsia to and from the Philippines each year will benefit from the online travel retail partnership. They will be able to source a wide selection of local and international brands, including jewellery, health and beauty, liquor, gadgets and local ‘must buys’.
“The partnership is expected to change the face of travel retail in the Philippines thanks to OurShop’s in-depth marketing and insights platform and Regent Asia’s pioneering presence and local expertise,” the two companies said.
OurShop Head of Acquisition Hassan Choudhury said, “The Philippines is a hugely important market in terms of the strategic growth of OurShop, and we are thrilled that such a globally respected travel retailer such as Regent Asia have agreed to partner with us.
“Manila’s T3 alone serves some 22 million guests per year, presenting what is a huge opportunity for us to expand our offering beyond just the 2 million international passengers who fly with AirAsia each year. I want to personally thank [Regent Asia founder, Chairman and Managing Director] Jose ‘Chim’ Esteban for welcoming us as his extended family and look forward to sharing much success together.”
Esteban said, “Our partnership with OurShop takes duty free and travel retail to a whole new level. Coupled with the tens of thousands of travellers AirAsia brings to Manila and the natural synergy of the OurShop platform, this alignment is a perfect partnership. We look forward to working with OurShop to provide travellers at T3 Manila International a more seamless and efficient online shopping experience.”
AirAsia BIG Loyalty members who make purchases on ourshop.com will also earn AirAsia BIG Points, which can then be used to book over 500 hotels and 10,000 activities on airasia.com. They can also redeem flights to over 150 destinations found in AirAsia’s domestic and international network.
The Regent Asia online store will be available on OurShop.com early next month.
Footnote: OurShop CEO Lalitha Sivanaser is a star speaker at this year’s Trinity Forum, to be held in Doha, Qatar on 30-31 October. She will speak in a compelling session entitled, ‘The power of three – or the power of four?’
The session will explore whether it is it time to extend the travel retail ‘Trinity’ to airlines? What does the evolution of onboard ‘marketplaces’ by carriers such as Singapore Airlines, AirAsia and Avianca spell for traditional airport retail? What next for Qatar Airways as a retailer after its decision to suspend traditional inflight sales?
Footnote (2): Regent Asia Group was profile in a special edition of The Moodie Davitt eZine Spotlight Series in April.
